2. Brief Introduction
Indigenous Mapuche word "Chilli”
Conquistadors heard about Chilli from
the Incas of Peru
Pop:ulation 16,601,707 (July 2009 est.)
85% of Chile's population lives in urban
areas, with 40% living in greater Santiago
Considered one of the strongest economies
in Latin American
3. Geographical Setting
Southern South America, bordering the
South Pacific Ocean, between Argentina
andPeru
756,950 square kilometers
(nearly twice the size of California)
One of narrowest countries in the world
Geographical isolation
Low coastal mountains; fertile central valley;
rugged Andes in east
4. Social Institutions
Extended-family ties provide a network
of support in times of nuclear family crises
Chile is one of the last countries in the
world that has not legalized divorce
Women have won access to more education
and have entered the labor force in larger
numbers
About half the students in the nation's primary
and secondary schools were female
Women reach full self-realization
primarily through motherhood
6. Social Organizations
Virtually all of the nation's
fire fighters are volunteers
Most important
Business organization,
the Business and Production
Confederation (Coproco)
The organized groups of Chilean
society have long played an
important role in the nation's
political life
7. Religion
Roman Catholic 70%, Evangelicals 15.1%,
Jehovah's Witness 1.1%, other Christian
1%, other 4.6%, none 8.3%
(2002 census)
A belief in heaven and in the eternal
horrors of hell is a fundamental ingredient
of the popular religious imagery
It is customary among the Chilean poor
to believe that infants who die become
little angels
8. Diet & Nutrition
The Chilean Diet is closely related
to a Mediterranean Diet.
A few dishes include:
Cazuela a chicken based soup
Arrozcon Pollo, Ceviche
and Chupes (stews of fish or beef)
9. Clothing / Housing
Chilean fashion is very traditional
Ponchos,coats and pants -Chamanto
Government has taken control of
housing in Chile
The Ministry of Housing and Planning
was created in 1970
Decreto con Fuerza de Ley 2
encouraged affordable housing of less
than 140 square meters
11. Healthcare and Social Security
Government Controlled
Hospitals and Clinics are
state of the art
Social Security System is a
suggested model for other
countries